Login Issue

[Cracker Jacks]

Windows XP Home SP2 all updates. For some reason when I try to type a
password at the login screen, no characters are displayed (no black dots).
If I have 1 user account that does not have a password such as guest and I
login under that account, then do a user switching, I can go back to the
other account and can type a password in. Anyone that can steer me in the
right direction to resolve this issue short of re-installing Windows I would
really appreciate it. Thanks.

 

[Sharon F]

Windows XP Home SP2 all updates. For some reason when I try to type a
password at the login screen, no characters are displayed (no black dots).
If I have 1 user account that does not have a password such as guest and I
login under that account, then do a user switching, I can go back to the
other account and can type a password in. Anyone that can steer me in the
right direction to resolve this issue short of re-installing Windows I would
really appreciate it. Thanks.

Sorry if this suggestion sounds overly simple but have you tried clicking
in the box (to position the cursor) and then typing? If the is not present,
click on the user name first for it to appear.

Another thought, what kind of connection does your keyboard use? If USB,
check that settings for USB keyboard in BIOS are enabled. Wording for this
setting varies. May see needed setting as "legacy USB" or it will
specifically mention USB keyboard.

Aside: Recently had this problem. I usually check simplest things first
before getting into more advanced troubleshooting. Sure enough, the
keyboard connector was loose.

 

[Cracker Jacks]

Sorry if this suggestion sounds overly simple but have you tried clicking
in the box (to position the cursor) and then typing? If the is not
present,
click on the user name first for it to appear.

Another thought, what kind of connection does your keyboard use? If USB,
check that settings for USB keyboard in BIOS are enabled. Wording for this
setting varies. May see needed setting as "legacy USB" or it will
specifically mention USB keyboard.

Aside: Recently had this problem. I usually check simplest things first
before getting into more advanced troubleshooting. Sure enough, the
keyboard connector was loose.

Thanks for the quick response. I suspect it is a driver/software issue since
it works after another "user profile" is loaded. Switching back to the
login screen..then it types ok. Where do I check the keyboard/driver setting
for the default "login screen" "user"? In other words the keyboard that is
loaded up at the login screen and before anyone actually logs in. That seems
to be where the fault is. Thank you again, I really appreciate your
assistance. Feels great knowing there are people like you out there willing
to help others

 

[Sharon F]

Thanks for the quick response. I suspect it is a driver/software issue since
it works after another "user profile" is loaded. Switching back to the
login screen..then it types ok. Where do I check the keyboard/driver setting
for the default "login screen" "user"? In other words the keyboard that is
loaded up at the login screen and before anyone actually logs in. That seems
to be where the fault is. Thank you again, I really appreciate your
assistance. Feels great knowing there are people like you out there willing
to help others

You're welcome.
In my original response, I was thinking that when you tried Guest, enough
time had passed that the keyboard was finally working. Or if the keyboard
was connection was loose (or cable damaged) that it was performing
erratically.

However, it is also possible that it is driver or software related as you
say. Personally would lean more towards a software explanation since the
drivers should be the same for both user accounts. By the time the welcome
screen appears, your keyboard is supported by the operating system.

Suggestion: You could try working with MSCONFIG and disabling startup items
to try to pinpoint which startup item is interfering.

 

[Guest]

I have this problem intermittently. Sometimes (most of the time) I can put a
cursor into the password box when I click in it, sometimes I can't. When I
click in it at other times, nothing happens - no vertical cursor appears. So
I can't type in a password. I usually restart the computer and everything is
all right.
Any suggestions? Same suggestion?

 

[Rock]

I have this problem intermittently. Sometimes (most of the time) I can put a
cursor into the password box when I click in it, sometimes I can't. When I
click in it at other times, nothing happens - no vertical cursor appears. So
I can't type in a password. I usually restart the computer and everything is
all right.
Any suggestions? Same suggestion?

Try a different mouse and/or keyboard. Also next time don't hijack
another thread. Post a new one with your problem.

 

[Sharon F]

I have this problem intermittently. Sometimes (most of the time) I can put a
cursor into the password box when I click in it, sometimes I can't. When I
click in it at other times, nothing happens - no vertical cursor appears. So
I can't type in a password. I usually restart the computer and everything is
all right.
Any suggestions? Same suggestion?

I've run into it once or twice as well with my USB keyboard. Like you a
simple restart fixes it. And since it doesn't happen that often (once every
3 or 4 months, I don't worry about it.

 

[tairakhmejanov]

I have a problem

Hey guys I need a little help. I have a similar problem. At start up when I try to type in my password nothing appears and I don't have an account that does not require a password. How can I possibly solve this problem and access my account. Please help me it is very frustrating.

 

[Sharon F]

Hey guys I need a little help. I have a similar problem. At start up
when I try to type in my password nothing appears and I don't have an
account that does not require a password. How can I possibly solve this
problem and access my account. Please help me it is very frustrating.

Try a different keyboard.
If using a USB keyboard, try a PS/2 model.

 

[tairakhmejanov]

ya i've tried that it didnt work. Before this happened I downloaded a bunch of keyloggers for monitoring my comp but not all worked. I think it might be because of that because they monitor keystrokes. I have no idea.

 

[Sharon F]

ya i've tried that it didnt work. Before this happened I downloaded a
bunch of keyloggers for monitoring my comp but not all worked. I think
it might be because of that because they monitor keystrokes. I have no
idea.

Well, regardless of what software is installed and allowed to run in the
background, either the hardware works at the logon screen or it doesn't. If
you cannot get any keyboard to work and there are no error messages
presented, then I don't what the problem could be.

You might try logging on with the default administrator account. If this is
XP Pro, press Ctrl+Alt+Del twice at the welcome screen, then type in
Administrator as the user name. If XP was preinstalled by the OEM, chances
are good that this password is still null or blank.

If using XP Home, boot to Safe Mode and log on with the account named
Administrator there.

Once logged on, make whatever adjustments you need to - removing passwords
from other accounts, uninstalling those logging programs, etc. Then log off
and try logging on with your regular account.